Art Chickadee's Reflectionshttp://artchickadee.typepad.com/art_chickadees_reflection/
The Life and Art of C. L. Grant
"The selflessness of love mystifies the downtrodden, confounds the selfish,
infuriates the evil, and satisfies the Divine." - C. L. Grant
en-US2015-02-28T22:54:24-05:00

Ornaments...not just for Christmas anymore!http://artchickadee.typepad.com/art_chickadees_reflection/2015/02/ornamentsnot-just-for-christmas-anymore-1.html
I like estate sales. I find cool things there sometimes. I went to one in my neighborhood yesterday and came away with some interesting things. Even vintage art supplies (I found boxes of vine charcoal at one sale at another...<p>I like estate sales. &#0160;I find cool things there sometimes. &#0160;I went to one in my neighborhood yesterday and came away with some interesting things. <a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b8d0dfa25d970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN1788" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b8d0dfa25d970c img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b8d0dfa25d970c-320wi" title="DSCN1788" /></a>Even vintage art supplies (I found boxes of vine charcoal at one sale at another time) &#0160;</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b8d0dfa2cc970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN1786" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b8d0dfa2cc970c img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b8d0dfa2cc970c-320wi" title="DSCN1786" /></a></p>
<p>Once in a while I find art work that I like enough to bring home like this watercolor of a jazz musician. &#0160;I want to put it on a neutral mat to make the colors pop and have it framed. &#0160;</p>
<p>I also found a very cool brass lamp at a decent price. &#0160;I could use it in a lot of spots in the house.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b8d0dfa2e5970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN1785" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b8d0dfa2e5970c img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b8d0dfa2e5970c-320wi" title="DSCN1785" /></a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">&#0160;</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c7565ce2970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN1789" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c7565ce2970b img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c7565ce2970b-320wi" title="DSCN1789" /></a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c7565cf6970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN1790" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c7565cf6970b img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c7565cf6970b-320wi" title="DSCN1790" /></a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">&#0160;</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">&#0160;<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01bb07fa5fc0970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN1807" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01bb07fa5fc0970d img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01bb07fa5fc0970d-320wi" title="DSCN1807" /></a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">&#0160;</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c756949a970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN1808" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c756949a970b img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c756949a970b-320wi" title="DSCN1808" /></a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">I can see some of these ornaments attached to a metal, fabric or paper journal. &#0160;Some could be worked into an interesting necklace. &#0160;So when you&#39;re out and about, try looking at them differently. &#0160;</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">&#0160;<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b8d0dfdd0c970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN1810" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b8d0dfdd0c970c img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b8d0dfdd0c970c-320wi" title="DSCN1810" /></a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b8d0dfdd18970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN1809" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b8d0dfdd18970c img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b8d0dfdd18970c-320wi" title="DSCN1809" /></a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Ornaments...not just for Christmas anymore. :)</p>
<p>&#0160;</p>
<p>&#0160;</p>Christy2015-02-28T22:54:24-05:00Been away too long, but here ya go!http://artchickadee.typepad.com/art_chickadees_reflection/2015/02/been-away-too-long-but-here-ya-go.html
I recently took an online class, by Jodi Ohl, called "Funky Little City Scapes." It was great fun and well suited me as it builds your piece layer by layer and that's how I like to work a lot. Jodi's...<p>I recently took an online class, by Jodi Ohl, called &quot;<a href="http://icreateflix.com/view_class.php?ID=164#.VNJ4MZ3F-So" target="_self" title="&quot;Funky Little City Scapes&quot;">Funky Little City Scapes</a>.&quot; &#0160;It was great fun and well suited me as it builds your piece layer by layer and that&#39;s how I like to work a lot. &#0160;Jodi&#39;s work is vibrant and appeals to me a lot, in fact, I have two of her <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painting" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Painting">paintings</a> that I got from her at Art Is You in Stamford, CT, but I digress. &#0160;</p>
<p>For some reason, I had the urge to use colors that I see every day on my walks with Fergus the Wonder Scottie. &#0160;Normally, that would be fine, but this time of year, mid-winter, it&#39;s not exactly the most colorful uplifting palette I&#39;ve ever seen. &#0160;But, I decided to follow the fickle muse of painting by collecting about 4 leaves and a blue-gray granite rock that is common here. &#0160;I took note of tree trunk, sky, grass and even the road colors. &#0160;</p>
<p>Once home and looking at my collection, I selected three main colors to start with...a light gray, a light bluish gray and a brown...all craft paints. &#0160;Then I remembered something I learned somewhere (and sorry I can&#39;t credit where) about using primary colors to with a few other colors to create your entire painting. &#0160;I was amazed at the colors I could obtain with very little of the primaries added and they all worked together as the base colors were a common &quot;theme.&quot; &#0160;</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c7457e0e970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN1701" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c7457e0e970b img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c7457e0e970b-320wi" title="DSCN1701" /></a></p>
<p>The first three were my starting point and the next three were what I used to do the majority of the painting. &#0160;That green gold by <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_%28color%29" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Gold (color)">Golden</a> (the bottom facing out) was used very sparingly on the trees. &#0160;Black and white paint were used to broaden the palette by additions to the mixes too. &#0160; &#0160;</p>
<p>After blocking in the houses, adding sheer layers of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Color">color</a>, then black and white dip pen details, I finished. &#0160;</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b8d0ceee72970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN1698" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b8d0ceee72970c img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b8d0ceee72970c-320wi" title="DSCN1698" /></a></p>
<p>These colors were way outside my usual but they felt &quot;right&quot; right now and I found I could work with something different and still like it. &#0160;I added snow to the picture which is also very uncharacteristic of me, but it didn&#39;t make me feel cold or like I wanted to crawl in a cave somewhere! &#0160;In fact, I think I could look at this one all year and not have a problem with it. &#0160;Go figure. &#0160;</p>Christy2015-02-04T14:52:18-05:00First you start with this, then...http://artchickadee.typepad.com/art_chickadees_reflection/2014/11/first-you-start-with-this-then.html
I picked up some wooden pieces at AC Moore a few months back. Base-coated them with white. I sketched out a few faces and went from there.<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01bb07af9667970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN1160" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01bb07af9667970d img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01bb07af9667970d-320wi" title="DSCN1160" /></a></p>
<p>I picked up some wooden pieces at AC Moore a few months back. &#0160;Base-coated them with white. &#0160;I sketched out a few faces and went from there.</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c70a8bec970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN1153" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c70a8bec970b img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c70a8bec970b-320wi" title="DSCN1153" /></a></p>
<p>&#0160;</p>
<p>&#0160;</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01bb07af9697970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN1155" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01bb07af9697970d img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01bb07af9697970d-320wi" title="DSCN1155" /></a></p>Christy2014-11-19T21:50:30-05:00Angel http://artchickadee.typepad.com/art_chickadees_reflection/2014/11/angel-.html
I don't remember where I got this little doll body...probably in some box from an estate sale and it had no arms or legs but in good shape otherwise. It's been sitting around for a bit and I ran across...<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c701f3ac970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN1014" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c701f3ac970b img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c701f3ac970b-320wi" title="DSCN1014" /></a></p>
<p>I don&#39;t remember where I got this little doll body...probably in some box from an estate sale and it had no arms or legs but in good shape otherwise. &#0160;It&#39;s been sitting around for a bit and I ran across it the other day. &#0160;So, I started thinking about making some arms and legs for it.&#0160;</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b8d08bf20d970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN1007" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b8d08bf20d970c img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b8d08bf20d970c-320wi" title="DSCN1007" /></a></p>
<p>Using a bag of glass beads that I got when registering at Art &amp; Soul Virginia, some wire and a few other beads, the doll regained appendages. &#0160;I took some brass filigree wings that I got from a dealer on ETSY and they were just the right size! &#0160;Boom. &#0160;Now she&#39;s an angel. &#0160;Okay, halo time. &#0160;</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b8d08bf214970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN1010" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b8d08bf214970c img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b8d08bf214970c-320wi" title="DSCN1010" /></a></p>
<p>More wire and some beads and we have a halo. &#0160;Krazy Glue applied and everything held. &#0160;*whew* &#0160;I think E6000 would have been better but was out and my Bond 527 was hard as a brick. &#0160;Anyway, I think she turned out pretty cute.</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c701f41d970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN1018" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c701f41d970b img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c701f41d970b-320wi" title="DSCN1018" /></a></p>Christy2014-11-06T20:06:25-05:00Concrete Heart as it developshttp://artchickadee.typepad.com/art_chickadees_reflection/2014/08/concrete-heart-as-it-develops.html
I decided to embed some stones in the heart when casting this one. I was a bit disappointed when I first unmolded it. I decided to give it time and work on other things. Then one day, I thought some...<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c6d41c0f970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN0729" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c6d41c0f970b img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c6d41c0f970b-320wi" title="DSCN0729" /></a></p>
<p>I decided to embed some stones in the heart when casting this one. &#0160;I was a bit disappointed when I first unmolded it. &#0160;I decided to give it time and work on other things. &#0160;Then one day, I thought some flowers and vines may be nice so I started to paint.</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c6d41c93970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN0730" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c6d41c93970b img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c6d41c93970b-320wi" title="DSCN0730" /></a></p>
<p>Then another idea began to form.</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a73e09f791970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN0731" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a73e09f791970d img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a73e09f791970d-320wi" title="DSCN0731" /></a></p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a73e09f840970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_3434" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a73e09f840970d img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a73e09f840970d-320wi" title="IMG_3434" /></a></p>
<p>I darkened between the vines, highlighted the now &quot;eggs&quot;.</p>
<p>&#0160; <a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a73e09f9db970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_3432" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a73e09f9db970d img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a73e09f9db970d-320wi" title="IMG_3432" /></a></p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b8d05dff6e970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_3430" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b8d05dff6e970c img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b8d05dff6e970c-320wi" title="IMG_3430" /></a></p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c6d41f18970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_3429" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c6d41f18970b img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01b7c6d41f18970b-320wi" title="IMG_3429" /></a></p>
<p>So the concrete heart with rocks became a nest with eggs. &#0160;:D &#0160;Who knew? &#0160;Only the rocky heart knew and had to tell me.</p>
<p>&#0160;</p>
<p>&#0160;</p>
<p>&#0160;</p>Christy2014-08-27T10:41:10-04:00When Art Fails 2http://artchickadee.typepad.com/art_chickadees_reflection/2014/08/when-art-fails-2.html
The above had a sage green background and a few other details. The faces looked flat. But not in a cool, folk-artsy flat way. So it sat for a year or better. I took an online class from Karen Milstein...<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511ec9c58970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_1251" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511ec9c58970c img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511ec9c58970c-320wi" title="IMG_1251" /></a></p>
<p>&#0160;</p>
<p>The above had a sage green background and a few other details. &#0160;The faces looked flat. &#0160;But not in a cool, folk-artsy flat way. &#0160;So it sat for a year or better. &#0160;I took an online class from Karen Milstein about faces (I think maybe particularly eyes) and that helped me work out some issues I had. &#0160;Some stencils on the background, shading, highlights and so on</p>
<p>&#0160;</p>
<p>&#0160;</p>
<p>&#0160;</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511ec9c7a970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_1255" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511ec9c7a970c img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511ec9c7a970c-320wi" title="IMG_1255" /></a>&#0160;</p>
<p>finally finshed this one for me.</p>
<p>The one below is a bit trickier. &#0160;There was nothing really wrong with it except I took it too far and it was too dark and too busy. &#0160;An earlier version was better. &#0160;</p>
<p>&#0160;</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511ec9e87970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN8843" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511ec9e87970c img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511ec9e87970c-320wi" title="DSCN8843" /></a></p>
<p>So once again, I changed the colors completely and had a re-do. &#0160;This one felt more like what I wanted at that point. &#0160;If I painted it today, I&#39;d probably come up with something again totally different. &#0160;The vagaries of being an artist can be trying.</p>
<p>&#0160;</p>
<p>&#0160;</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511ec9d60970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_1816" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511ec9d60970c img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511ec9d60970c-320wi" title="IMG_1816" /></a></p>
<p>&#0160;</p>Christy2014-08-04T13:50:00-04:00When Art Fails http://artchickadee.typepad.com/art_chickadees_reflection/2014/07/when-art-fails-.html
I had a collage that I did about a year ago and never finished. It just sat there. I liked parts of it. A lot. But it just, well, sat there. So, recently I decided it was a waste to...<p>I had a collage that I did about a year ago and never finished. It just sat there. I liked parts of it. A lot. But it just, well, sat there.</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511ec90e3970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Art &amp; Soul c 2012 018" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511ec90e3970c img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511ec90e3970c-320wi" title="Art &amp; Soul c 2012 018" /></a></p>
<p>&#0160;So, recently I decided it was a waste to have a canvas sit there. &#0160;I looked through the photos I&#39;ve been taking around the neighborhood on my walks, chose some pieces and parts that may work, printed them out and started working. &#0160;I sketched a rough idea out. &#0160; <a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a73df7ca25970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_2903" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a73df7ca25970d img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a73df7ca25970d-320wi" title="IMG_2903" /></a>&#0160; It has &quot;cow itch&quot; (Campsis radicans) from a neighbor&#39;s mail box, black-eyed susans from another&#39;s garden, and petunia greenery and pitcher from another neighbor&#39;s yard.</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a3fd3cd144970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN0057" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a3fd3cd144970b img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a3fd3cd144970b-320wi" title="DSCN0057" /> </a><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a3fd3cd1af970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_2684" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a3fd3cd1af970b img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a3fd3cd1af970b-320wi" title="IMG_2684" /></a><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a3fd3cd144970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><br /></a><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a3fd3cd15a970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN0097" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a3fd3cd15a970b img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a3fd3cd15a970b-320wi" title="DSCN0097" /></a></p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a3fd3cd298970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_2901" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a3fd3cd298970b img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a3fd3cd298970b-320wi" title="IMG_2901" /></a></p>
<p>You can see above how I started pushing back some of the parts I wanted gone with some white paint. &#0160;It helped me focus on what parts would next work or need to be eliminated. &#0160;That part wasn&#39;t easy. &#0160;There were neat images in there, but honestly had to go if I was to move on,. &#0160;Wow, sounds like a metaphor for life, doesn&#39;t it? &#0160;<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a3fd3cd144970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><br /><br /></a> <a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511ec9471970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_3129" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511ec9471970c img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511ec9471970c-320wi" title="IMG_3129" /></a><br /><br />Lots of sheer layers of paint...some of it dry-brushed, some of it glazed and changed the tone and hue of different parts until I got it balanced. &#0160;I like it now and will paint the sides and it will be ready for varnishing. &#0160;I find it helpful to see how others evolve pieces and know how their pieces come together. &#0160;I hope that this helped you or that you found it interesting.</p>
<p>&#0160;</p>Christy2014-07-30T13:46:23-04:00Concrete, anyone?http://artchickadee.typepad.com/art_chickadees_reflection/2014/07/concrete-anyone.html
Yep, I've been absent for a while. Didn't realize it had been this long but here's what I'm working in for the moment...concrete. Kinda fun exploring some of its properties. Molding it... or borrowing nature for a mold... my cannas,...<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511daad26970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_2894" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511daad26970c img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511daad26970c-320wi" title="IMG_2894" /></a></p>
<p>Yep, I&#39;ve been absent for a while. &#0160; Didn&#39;t realize it had been this long but here&#39;s what I&#39;m working in for the moment...concrete. &#0160;Kinda fun exploring some of its properties.</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a73de60c1d970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN0031" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a73de60c1d970d img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a73de60c1d970d-320wi" title="DSCN0031" /></a></p>
<p>Molding it... or borrowing nature for a mold... my cannas, for one.</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a73de60c53970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN0127" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a73de60c53970d img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a73de60c53970d-320wi" title="DSCN0127" /></a></p>
<p>&#0160;</p>
<p>to get this.</p>
<p>&#0160;</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a3fd2b1227970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_2724" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a3fd2b1227970b img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a3fd2b1227970b-320wi" title="IMG_2724" /></a></p>
<p>Or hydrangea leaves, or oak leaves, or maple leaves or whatever catches my eye. &#0160;Even rhubarb (on left) or the elephant ears (one that I repainted that my teacher/friend Paula Stallard made).</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511daae02970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_3673" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511daae02970c img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511daae02970c-320wi" title="IMG_3673" /></a></p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a3fd2b1283970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN0035" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a3fd2b1283970b img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a3fd2b1283970b-320wi" title="DSCN0035" /></a></p>
<p>&#0160;</p>
<p>Birds love &#39;em!</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a3fd2b12a5970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_3664" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a3fd2b12a5970b img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a3fd2b12a5970b-320wi" title="IMG_3664" /></a></p>
<p>&#0160;</p>
<p>They can make interesting splash blocks...</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511daae97970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_2822" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511daae97970c img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511daae97970c-320wi" title="IMG_2822" /></a></p>
<p>&#0160;</p>
<p>Small hydrangea leaves are fun to paint and scatter. &#0160; Hosta leaves are great, too, but I don&#39;t have any current pictures of them.</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a73de60e4f970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_2860" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a73de60e4f970d img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a73de60e4f970d-320wi" title="IMG_2860" /></a></p>
<p>If you want to give it a try yourself, here is a link&#0160;<a href="http://pastiche.squidoo.com/garden-crafts-birdbath" target="_self" title="">Birdbaths</a>. &#0160; There are other versions out there but it&#39;s a start. &#0160;Have fun!</p>Christy2014-07-03T23:43:49-04:00Spring Fever: Altered Egg swaphttp://artchickadee.typepad.com/art_chickadees_reflection/2014/03/spring-fever-altered-egg-swap-1.html
Am I the only one who feels like this has been a really long winter? A few months ago, I decided to host a swap to get myself creating again so I decided on altered eggs. Not really Easter eggs,...<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511813e8c970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN8801" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511813e8c970c img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a511813e8c970c-320wi" title="DSCN8801" /></a>&#0160;&#0160;</p>
<p>Am I the only one who feels like this has been a really long winter? &#0160;A few months ago, I decided to host a swap to get myself creating again so I decided on altered eggs. &#0160;Not really Easter eggs, as much as I love Easter, but eggs that could be kept out all year and made by art friends. &#0160;I tried painting one or two, but it didn&#39;t thrill me. &#0160;I started off with wooden eggs. &#0160;Then I decided to try some papier mache eggs. &#0160;What to do with them though?</p>
<p>&#0160;</p>
<p>&#0160;</p>
<p>&#0160;</p>
<p>&#0160;</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a3fcd167a1970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN8799" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a3fcd167a1970b img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a3fcd167a1970b-320wi" title="DSCN8799" /></a></p>
<p>&#0160;</p>
<p>One day I was playing with Dylusions sprays and the overspray on some paper towels caught my eye. &#0160;My friend Mary Haldeman uses paper towels and other papers that she dyes &#0160;and later uses in her art work. &#0160;Hmmm. &#0160;So I added to the colors on the towels and let them dry. &#0160;I rubbed some metallic paint across the top texture with my finger tip. &#0160;I let that dry. &#0160;I peeled the two layers apart and was amazed at the rich colors and patterns. &#0160;So I pulled off pieces of the papers and glued them all over the eggs. &#0160;The colors were SO bright that they were almost intimidating so I took some white, silver, gold and bronze and dry-brushed the eggs. &#0160;I liked the soft, yet still rich, colors I ended up with.</p>
<p>&#0160;</p>
<p>&#0160;</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a73d8c828d970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN8800" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a73d8c828d970d img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a73d8c828d970d-320wi" title="DSCN8800" /></a></p>
<p>&#0160;</p>
<p>I told the other players not to over-think the swap and just have fun...don&#39;t get hung up in tons of detail or making this too hard. &#0160;After all, they will be best put all together and sometimes, less can be more. &#0160;I decided to add just a band of blingy ribbon around the eggs&#39; middles.</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a73d8c8295970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSCN8803" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a73d8c8295970d img-responsive" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a73d8c8295970d-320wi" title="DSCN8803" /></a></p>
<p>Also, each person&#39;s egg will have an initial metal piece attached (either first or last initial of their name depending on what I have) to finish them off. &#0160;I also have a surprise that I&#39;ve made for each player but can&#39;t show them at this time because the swap isn&#39;t over yet! :)</p>Christy2014-03-10T19:22:57-04:00http://artchickadee.typepad.com/art_chickadees_reflection/2014/02/a-freebie-for-today-of-some-vintage-things-that-i-have.html
A freebie for today of some vintage things that I have.<p>A freebie for today of some vintage things that I have.<br/>
<br/>
<a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a5116cc750970c-pi"> <img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a5116cc750970c image-full img-responsive" alt="VintagePCcg" title="VintagePCcg" src="http://artchickadee.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cc7c853ef01a5116cc750970c-800wi" border="0" /> </a><br /></p>Christy2014-02-14T12:10:39-05:00